THE EFFECT OF ETCH DURATION ON THE MICROSTRUCTURE OF MOLAR ENAMEL - AN IN-VITRO STUDY

This in vitro study evaluated the influence of varying etch time on th e microstructure of molar buccal enamel. The buccal surfaces of four g roups of extracted first molar teeth were etched for 15, 30, 45, and 6 0 seconds. The etch patterns obtained were photographed with a scannin g electron microscope and rated with a 3-grade scale. The 15-second et ch time failed to produce any optimal etch patterns. The best etch pat terns were found in molars etched for 60 seconds.